Bijoya Dashami sees idol immersion, rush in markets

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The immersion of Durga idols began at Dashamighat in Agartala on Bijoya Dashami on Wednesday, as hundreds of visitors gathered to witness the traditional farewell to the goddess, while markets across the capital witnessed brisk sales of fish and meat but lower demand for sweets compared with last year.

Several cranes were pressed into action at Dashamighat to facilitate the safe immersion of idols in the Haora river. Hundreds of Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) workers were working in shifts to ensure that the idols arriving at the site were immersed in the river.

Security arrangements were also made to keep elderly people and children away from the water. The AMC arranged traditional drummers, known as dhakis, along with female artists performing ululation and blowing conch shells as the idols were submerged.

According to traditional beliefs, Maa Durga leaves for Kailash on Dashami after bidding farewell to her maternal home, with the promise of returning the following year.

Meanwhile, fish and meat shops across Agartala witnessed a rush of customers from the morning as people bought provisions for the final day of the Durga Puja festivities. Traders said sales in the fish market had improved compared with last year, with a range of fish available to meet demand.

Hilsa, catla, prawns, boal, pabda, bhetki and pomfret were among the varieties available. Traders said large fish weighing four to five kg were also sold.

A fish seller said live large catla was priced at Rs 500-600 per kg, while locally sourced catla was sold at Rs 400-450 per kg. Prawns were priced at Rs 500-600 per kg, depending on their size and variety. Another seller said large prawns fetched around Rs 1,000 per kg, while hilsa weighing around one kg was sold at Rs 1,000-1,200 per kg. Some traders said most fish were available at regular market prices.

Meat shops also recorded substantial footfall, particularly for broiler and country chicken. A seller said broiler chicken was priced at Rs 200 per kg, cut chicken at Rs 300 per kg and country chicken at around Rs 600 per kg. He attributed the increase in broiler prices from around Rs 150 per kg last year to Rs 200 this year to reduced production following the death of chickens amid excessive heat.

In contrast, sweet shop owners reported weaker sales than last year, despite demand for rasgulla, lal mohan and curd. One trader estimated that demand for sweets had fallen by around 30 per cent, while another said prices had been kept unchanged and a variety of sweets, including sandesh, laddoo, jilapi and bunia, remained available.

Traders said sales later in the day would determine the overall performance of the sweet market. 

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